Ikea said it has officially plugged in the solar energy system installed at its location in Paramus, N.J.
Ikea contracted with REC Solar for the development, design and installation of the customized solar power system. The 132,000-sq.-ft. PV array consists of a 1,063-kW system, built with 4,620 panels. It will produce approximately 1,359,100 kWh of clean electricity annually, the equivalent of reducing 1,033 tons of carbon dioxide, eliminating the emissions of 184 cars or powering 117 homes yearly.
Ikea owns and operates each of its solar PV energy systems atop its buildings – as opposed to a solar lease or power purchase agreement. The Paramus installation is the 17th completed solar energy project for the chain in the United States, with 20 more locations underway. The Swedish home furnishings retailer’s eventual U.S. solar presence will near 85% and generate 30.8 MW.